Landslides in Uttarakhand following heavy rains have crippled road communication and left scores of pilgrims and other passengers stranded on the National Highway (NH) 58 between Badrinath and Rishikesh.
Bigochar (Uttarakhand), Aug 12 : Landslides in Uttarakhand following heavy rains have crippled road communication and left scores of pilgrims and other passengers stranded on the National Highway (NH) 58 between Badrinath and Rishikesh.
Large tracks of the highway remained buried under piles of boulders and fallen soil, even as workers of the Border Road Organisation (BRO) made every effort to clear the way.
"Because of the rains we are facing a lot of difficulties, though we are making every effort (to clear the road)," said Colonel B. Patil of BRO.
Pilgrims bound for Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib shrines, who were stranded, complaint administration apathy.
"We have been stranded here for three days now. We are coming from Kedarnath. There has been heavy rainfall and the administration is not paying any attention. The roads here are blocked. There is no provision for food and water. And till now, we are clueless as to when the roads will be opened," said Maneesh Agarwal, a pilgrim on his way to Badrinath.
Badrinath, located at a height of 10,248 feet (3123 metres), is one of the holiest sites for Hindus. A 20-kilometer trek off the way leads to neighbouring Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara located at slightly higher altitude than Badrinath.
ANI